Boelen's Python

Boelen's Python

Geographical Range

New Guinea (island north of Australia)

Habitat

Mountain forests

Scientific Name

Morelia boeleni

Conservation Status

Not listed by IUCN

New Guinea is home to more than 100 snake species. Some are found elsewhere but others, like this spectacular and rare python, live nowhere else. The Boelen's is one of the least-known pythons. It's been found only in mid-mountain forests. It seems to prefer areas with high humidity and low light levels. Although it lives mainly on the forest floor, it is an agile snake and can probably also climb trees.

Did You Know?

Female Boelen's pythons lay clutches of at least 14 eggs. When the young hatch, they are a reddish-brown color but they slowly change to the dark patterned color of the adults as they mature.